The next morning, I woke up much earlier than I normally would. I lied there under my thick comforter, thinking excitedly about the coming day.

I wished that I could wear something different, more exciting than my usual while blouse with a plaid skirt, but that would have gotten my mother to ask questions. Soon, she would put two and two together and she would know that I was planning on skipping school. After this, Penny's mom would be informed, our entire plan would be ruined, and I would never get to dance on the Corny Collins Show. So, for these reasons, I knew that I would have to wear my typical, boring ensemble.

Eventually, my alarm began to buzz and I rolled out of bed. I was humming another of my favorite songs, "Momma, I'm a Big Girl, Now". As usual, my mother was still in bed and my father had already left for his joke shop, which he loved.

As I always did, once I got outside, I waved to him through the large front window before continuing on my way. He waved back with a gorilla mask on. I couldn't help but laugh; only my father would wear such a stupid mask in public.

Penny and I met in front of the television shop once more. This was, after all, our typical meeting place. As I approached, she smiled and handed me a blueberry muffin (my favorite). "It's for your strength." She told me as we continued down the sidewalk. When I had finished it, in what was probably record time, because of my nerves, we grasped one another's hands and walked on even more confident in my dancing ability. I was thankful for her support and her strength.

The two of us walked like this for quite some time, until we had come upon WKYC's news station. I pushed open the door and stepped inside into a small lobby where about five other girls were waiting, presumably to audition. Penny and I sat down in chairs next to them after signing on the secretary's clip board.

As a church's bells tolled, declaring that it was eight o'clock, the secretary stood up. "Lovely," she said smiling down on us all with a sugary, fake smile. I especially noticed how her eyes traveled from my head to my toes, then back again. She was sizing me up! I realized suddenly. "Lovely," she said again as she walked towards a door to the right of her desk. "Follow me. And am I right in assuming that you are all auditioning?" she asked as she plastered us with another of her fake smiles.

Penny began to slowly raise her hand, as if she wasn't sure what the secretary would do to her. "Um ma'am. I'm not actually auditioning. I'm just here to support my friend, Tracy." Even after Penny had finished talking, she still looked very uncomfortable and put on the spot.

The secretary nodded a curt nod. "Well you just stay back, and tray not to get into anyone's way… Especially mine. Do you understand?" she asked. Penny quickly nodded. "Lovely." Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Penny unwrapping a lollypop and sticking it into her mouth. I knew that this was a nervous habit of hers. I wasn't sure whether she was nervous because of the crazy secretary, or because I was about to audition for the Corny Collins Show. Either reason, I was grateful for her support.

Soon, we had approached a door which I heard strains of music coming out of. A woman was singing about being "Miss Baltimore Crabs". The door was opened and we stepped into the room.

We were immediately shown the moves to a new dance, which we then began to demonstrate. I could see the current cast members sizing us up. I couldn't help but watch Link, who, like always, looked handsome. I realized that the woman who had been singing had been Amber's mom, Mrs. Van Tussle.

Soon, the two of them began criticizing the girls around me. My heart sank as I watched a shadow step in front of me. I didn't dare stop dancing/

"Are you scared? We're on live." Asked Amber. I would not let her intimidate me, especially not in front of Link.

"No, I'm sure that I can cope." I responded, trying to sound much braver than I felt.

"Well this show isn't broadcast in Cinemascope." She commented with a sneer while looking back at Link, as if looking for his approval. I saw to my satisfaction that he gave her none.

"I never drank one chocolate malt. No desert for Ms. Baltimore Crabs." Mrs. Van Tussle stepped in front of me. I would not be intimidated, nor would I be made to be made ashamed of my weight. So, I continued to dance.

They moved onto picking on the other girls. While dancing, I snuck small looks at Link. He looked ashamed at what Amber and some of the other girls were saying.

All too soon, the feet had come back. "Would you swim in a intergraded pool?" asked Amber. I knew the answer that they were all expecting, but I decided to tell them the truth, instead.

"I sure would! Integration is the new frontier."

This was the final straw for the racist teenagers. I was immediately kicked from the building.

"I think that they secretly liked you," Penny said brightly, obviously trying to make me feel better.

I didn't feel like I'd ever feel better. I had just screwed up the chance to make my dream come true. And in doing so, I had skipped school and lied to my parents. Penny and I decided that we had better hurry to school, before we got into any more trouble.